Rising Egg Costs Lead to Increased Hiring of Hens in the United States

By Paige Reynolds / AFP, LA CRESCENTA, California

Rising Egg Costs Lead to Increased Hiring of Hens in the United States

Escalating egg prices have Send American consumers scrambling for alternatives, and backyard farming has become a viable solution — minus the long-term commitment. Enter the chicken rental boom.

Stung by the soaring cost of eggs and grocery store rationing, Kim Yong-mi took matters into her own hands. This Los Angeles-area resident decided to rent a henhouse and its gift-wrapped egg-laying residents in pursuit of her own fresh supply.

With permanent chicken coops seeming like a hefty responsibility for those hesitant to dive into farming headfirst, the solution for this curious consumer was clear: hire a 'chick-ur-rent'.

"I wanted to try it out and see whether I like it or not," Yong-mi told reporters. "Some people I know have chickens at home, but it's a lot of work for them. So I think renting a chicken is a great start."

This renting-a-hen boom gained steam in the US nearly a decade ago in Pennsylvania, where a farming couple launched Rent The Chicken. The operation has since expanded to over 40 cities across North America, with local farmers setting up their own branches[1].

Interest in chicken rentals spiked during COVID-19 lockdowns, as folks trapped at home sought sustainable food sources[2]. The current craze, however, can be traced directly to the recent egg price spike resulting from factors like bird flu—which has led to the mass culling of egg-producing birds[3][4].

"Especially this year, we've seen a much higher interest—about three to four times as much as we were seeing this time last year," said Victoria Lee, who manages the Los Angeles region from her Agua Dulce farm.

Local supermarkets have even begun placing limits on how many cartons a customer can buy, and egg prices now routinely soar above ten dollars for a dozen eggs, triple their usual cost[5].

However, Lee warns that raising chickens at home doesn't necessarily translate to savings. Quality, though, is the advantage. "By the time they get to the grocery store, eggs are about 48-60 days old," she says. "Renting chickens allows people to gather fresh eggs that are no older than the day they were laid."

What's particularly striking about these rentals is the coop; a compact, fence-enclosed, and moveable mini-house — complete with a "patio" for the chickens. According to Lee, this setup allows the chickens daily access to fresh grass while keeping them safe from predators[1].

Pricing varies for chicken rentals. Packages range from around US$500 to over $1,000 for six months, depending on location and the desired number of birds[6]. In addition to the chickens, food, waterers, feeders, treats, and a chicken care guide, each package includes the rental coop.

Yong-mi, a university professor residing in La Crescenta, near Los Angeles, was eager to accept her new 'tenants' when her coop arrived. "Free eggs!" she exclaimed. A client with two chickens can expect up to 14 eggs per week[6].

And Yong-mi's motivation for renting the chickens? Certainly, the current egg supply crisis ignited her interest, but she explained that it's about more than just avoiding supermarket shortages. "I really wanted to have something for the kids, also to learn as a way of life," she said. "And, let's face it, home-grown eggs taste so much better!"

[1] https://www.rentthechicken.com/[2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/idaetemadi/2020/03/30/rental-cos-bundle-chickens-and-coops-to-delight-pandemic-thrilled-consumers/?sh=5bb5e4725e78[3] https://www.businessinsider.com/chicken-rental-services-saw-surge-during-covid-19-lockdowns-2021-3[4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/11/buying-eggs-just-got-a-lot-more-expensive-due-to-avian-flu/[5] https://www.wsj.com/articles/should-you-rent-your-own-hens-11601627194[6] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/18/opinion/rent-the-chicken-backyard-hens.html

Kim Yong-mi, in search of a fresh supply of eggs due to escalating costs and grocery store rationing, opted for chicken rental as a simpler, temporary solution, avoiding the commitment of a permanent chicken coop.
Interested in testing out the chicken rental trend, Yong-mi, a university professor from La Crescenta near Los Angeles, anticipates weekly egg yields of up to 14 eggs from her new 'tenants'.
With egg prices routinely soaring above ten dollars for a dozen eggs, triple their usual cost, Yong-mi believes the long-term cost-effectiveness remains uncertain, but the quality of home-grown eggs appeals to her lifestyle and food-and-drink preferences.
As the chickens' home, Yong-mi's coop is a compact, enclosed, moveable mini-house that provides the chickens access to fresh grass while keeping them protected from predators, becoming an attractive addition to home-and-garden settings.